Refugees have escaped their homes to find safety in another place. They travel long distances, often with only what they can carry, and face danger, war, conflict and violence. Fleeing untold horrors in their home nation, many wind up in specialized camps or other temporary settlements while they wait decades for their country to be safe again.
However, some of them are given a chance to settle in Canada and they may choose your neighbourhood to rebuilt their lives.
Knowing that a refugee family is moving nearby may fill you with excitement, apprehension and even fear. Questions may run through your mind. Questions like, “What will they be like? Will they be friendly? Will they change the community for the worse?” are all normal. But there is nothing to fear.
The common narrative surrounding refugees is rife with myths and misunderstandings.
So, what can you actually expect when a refugee moves into your neighbourhood?
Believe it or not, but there is not much difference between a refugee moving into an area and any other person moving in, especially if their home is far away from yours. They may wear clothing that are unfamiliar, they may speak a language that you don’t know or cook food that is strange to you, but overall, it won’t affect you unless you reach out to them directly.
Because like anybody else a refugee is a person with their own set of beliefs and personality quirks. Coming from a war-torn or dangerous country leads to trauma and its subsequent behaviour. They may also act shy or reclusive due to language behaviour or an ingrained fear of strangers. But once they are comfortable, settled and do not fear reprisal or discrimination, they will act like any other newcomer to the area.
If they enjoy gardening back home, they may start a garden. If they love watching movies, you may often see them at the cinema. If they are devout in their faith, they will become a common fixture at churches, temples or mosques. If they love pumping loud music throughout the day, well, sorry, but get your earplugs prepared.
And unlike most fearmongers say, you will not need to worry about increased crime as refugees are thoroughly screened before and after they arrive in Canada. Only about 0.3% of asylum seekers were found to have a serious criminal background. These folks were refused entry.
A 35-year study by Doctor Maria Jung also uncovered that areas with high levels of immigration saw a decrease in crime. If they do commit a crime, they can face harsher sentences than a Canadian-born citizen.
Refugees are good for Canada.
This timeline illustrates what refugees can expect during their first year in Canada. After 12 months, they are expected to support themselves.
And that they do.
According to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the unemployment rate of refugees sits at about 9%, which is close to Canada’s average of 6%. They, however, start businesses at a higher rate. In the same report, the UNHRC noted that 14.4% of refugees who have been in Canada between 10 and 30 years are entrepreneurs, compared to 12.3% of people born in Canada. Entrepreneurs create new opportunities, products and jobs for other refugees and residents alike.
And according to economic advisor Phillipe Legrain believes that opening 1,000 refugee-led businesses per year could generate $100 million in annual fiscal gains.
While they often struggle financially in the first few years while they acclimatize, once comfortable, they contribute to the economy just as much as anybody else. Nearly one in four refugees (23%) earned between $40,000 and $79,999 annually, similar to the percentage of Canadians (27%) and total immigrants (24%) earning a middle-class income.
Over time, these refugees also pay more in income taxes than they receive in benefits. The longer they live in Canada, the narrower the gap between income tax paid and public benefits and services.
Most importantly, according to the UNHRC, “refugees report a higher sense of belonging to Canada than people born in Canada, with 95% of refugees feeling a “strong” sense of belonging to Canada compared to 91% for the Canadian-born. Refugees’ strong sense of belonging to Canada demonstrates their commitment to integrate into Canadian society and to call this country home.”
